“It’s not a big deal. We’re going to get out of here. We’re not going to get in trouble,” 20-year-old Jayden Jackson told his friend immediately after allegedly hitting and killing Shaunta D. Cain, 51, on U.S. 1 just south of the intersection with Plantation bay Boulevard in November 2022.
Assistant State Attorney Jason Lewis quoted Jackson’s alleged statement to Circuit Judge Terence Perkins this afternoon during a bond hearing. Jackson, now 21, was arrested at the end of April a charge of leaving the scene of a crash with a death. He immediately posted bail on $50,000 bond. But a condition of his bond was that he is forbidden to drive until the disposition of the case.
Leaving the scene of a crash with death is a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison, with a four-year mandatory minimum.
Jackson appeared in court with his defense attorney, Josh Davis, who argued a motion to change the condition, so Jackson could drive to and from work. Perkins denied the motion, apparently on Lewis’s the sharply worded argument, which included a significant amount of new details about the case.
“It’s a very serious crime,” Lewis told the court. “On the day that this happened, Mr. Jackson was out drinking with another friend. And during the course of that, within several hours after that, the allegations–and I think the evidence will show–is he hit a human being, driving down the road. He had explicit knowledge that he hit a human being, even though he later lied to his father and other individuals and said it was a deer.” Jackson’s father is a Flagler County sheriff’s deputy.
“There’s an actual eyewitness in the vehicle with him who indicates that Mr. Jackson, upon hitting the human being, said, ‘it’s not a big deal, we’re going to get out of here. We’re not going to get in trouble.’ And he fled,” Lewis continued. (Among the witnesses FHP interviewed were a man who had recently graduated from Flagler Palm Coast High School and a woman who had recently graduated from Matanzas High School.)
“He actually never reported it, never did anything, and the only reason he got caught was because it was his father’s vehicle,” Lewis said. It was his father who reported the crash to colleagues. Two sheriff’s deputies and a Florida Highway Patrol trooper went to the Jackson residence on Mahogany Boulevard in Daytona North, and saw the vehicle, a 2017 Chevrolet, with telltale, front-end damage from a collision.
The crash took place a little after 4 a.m. the morning of Nov. 26, 2022. Several hours later, a sheriff’s commander called FDHP to report that deputy Bryan Jackson had told him that Jayden Jackson had been in a crash.
“This is not an ordinary just leaving the scene, where if someone hits a car or someone is injured,” the prosecutor said. “He left a woman dead on the side of the road and never gave two thoughts to it. He’s a 21-year-old person who should have known better.” Lewis said that had Jayden Jackson remained at the scene and law enforcement had determined that he was intoxicated over the legal limit to drive, “his license would have to automatically be suspended at that point too. But because he fled, the defense would like you to give him a second chance. We would ask the court that that not be the case, and that his license be suspended and not be able to drive until after the resolution of this case.”
Davis argued to the court that Jackson faces “a very long process” due to the case, and that he’ll be acing significant expenses “not excluding having to pay for an attorney and everything else that’s going on.” He had been working full time and contributing to his household’s expenses.
He contested Lewis’s claims about drinking: “If there was any evidence, that would be a different charge,” Davis said. Has there been evidence of inebriation, Jackson may have faced a DUI-manslaughter charge, which also carries a minimum mandatory prison sentence of four years if the person is convicted. When law enforcement went to Jackson’s house after the report of the crash, Jackson at that time denied the request for a buccal swab and declined to answer questions.
Davis said “there is nothing with alcohol that is going to be proven in this case, period. If they could have, I’m sure they would have, but that is evidence that I do not have yet. Mr. Lewis still has plenty of time within the rules to get me all of that. But that’s not charged anywhere in any of the affidavits or the information that there was alcohol.”
“It’s still a first degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in state prison,” Perkins said. He thanked the attorneys for their arguments and without hesitation denied altering the bond conditions. The hearing served in sum to clarify how the prosecution would proceed, focusing on leaving the scene of the crash and attempting to prove that Jackson had struck a human being. That will almost entirely depend on a single witness: the person in the passenger seat at the time of the crash.
Let Him Free ! says
It’s not a big deal the entitled FCSO Deputy’s son said. Hmmm. Let’s follow this joke of a case
JOE D says
I understand that individuals are innocent until PROVEN guilty, but for a SWORN SHERIFF’S DEPUTY to use their criminology knowledge to thwart the investigation, seems unfeeling, considering the Son’s ALLEGED actions during and after the incidents, related to a woman’s death.
If the statements made from the inside the vehicle are proven to be true ( and the witness isn’t pressured to change their testimony), it appears the son might have experienced his father “getting him out of situations” in the past, for the defendant to say something to the effect that “We’re not going to get in trouble for this …(a fatal hit and run)!!
If such a circumstance is true, then the father, as a Sheriff Deputy, has done his son NO FAVORS, if he raised him to feel he is ABOVE the LAW….but then again, former Presidents, Government elected officials and Celebrity entertainers act that way all the time….so why not a misguided 21 year old?
Bravo for the judge not changing the “no driving” restriction….I MEAN REALLY….a person DIED as consequence of the defendant’s driving ( unfortunately due to his father refusing to allow his son to have a blood alcohol or drug test…which technically is his right…knowing FULL well each delayed hour, waiting for a blood alcohol test makes the test worthless because the substance levels in the blood will drop below legal limits). Getting PROOF of substance use at the time of the accident is going to almost be impossible, now.
I guess we’ll see if justice PREVAILS….for EVERYONE.
JimboXYZ says
What was said between the two is material content as a discussion for charges against the passenger. Not reporting a hit & run as a passenger makes that passenger an accomplice of sorts in this ? We get the passenger is more a victim of circumstances for not being able to get out of a moving vehicle, but there is a responsibility to report the accident for being in the vehicle when it happened. Even if they had reported after being driven away from the scene of the hit & run. What is wrong with people over something this obvious & simple. May not like being in the moment as a relative victim, but not having the decency to do the right thing is unacceptable. Impaired passenger, how does that one sleep at night any more than anyone else involved in anything for knowledge of the event even ? This would even apply to the parent(s) of the H&R motorist. The entire bunch are complicit in a cover up at the very least. This isn’t any better than the Circle K trials that is involving 30 year jail sentences. The only difference is that in the Circle K there was intent to murder involved.
Shark says
His father is a Flagler County Deputy and actually hindered the investigation when FHP went to his house.
Crystal Lang says
An immediate family member of mine was sitting in his car with a couple of other individuals down by the water (not in Florida). He was sitting behind the wheel. A Police car pulled up behind them and under certain circumstances the police officer asked for ID because he said the situation looked suspicious, well I know that family member very very well the suspicion was blown out of porportion but since he sometimes has an attitude problem he REFUSED to take a DUI test he was automatically hit with a DUI and his licences was suspended and he had to pay $1K a year for 3 years. Lesson learned. So in this situation why was he not automatically hit with a DUI, how in the world would he even think for one second he would be able to drive.
Robjr says
Under Florida Statute.
Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Death.
The crime of Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Death is a First Degree Felony punishable as a Level 7 offense under Florida’s sentencing guidelines.
If convicted of Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Death, a judge can impose a maximum sentence of thirty (30) years in prison, but is required to impose a mandatory minimum sentence of 4 years in prison.
Hopefully the fix is not in and a measure of justice can be dispensed.
Jim says
You state: “Impaired passenger, how does that one sleep at night any more than anyone else involved in anything for knowledge of the event even ? This would even apply to the parent(s) of the H&R motorist. The entire bunch are complicit in a cover up at the very least.” Do you not understand the the father of the H&R driver is the one who reported the damage to the vehicle and that lead to the police determining that his son was the driver who killed this woman?
JimboXYZ, do the world a favor and at least read the article before you start spouting dribble.
John says
Lock him up and throw the key away. He really thought he could get away with drinking and driving his Father’s car and killing someone. How low can you go?
Ray W. says
Speaking of justice, Joe D, I understand that both the state and defense have rested their cases in the Trump hush money trial.
Since closing arguments are set for next Tuesday, that means that the trial judge denied the defendant’s motion for judgment of acquittal at the close of the presentation of evidence. A denial of an MJOA means that the state met its initial burden of producing sufficient competent and reliable evidence to send the case to the jury. There is evidence of guilt in the trial record. The jury’s job is to determine whether that quantum of evidence rises to the level of evidence of guilt beyond and to the exclusion of a reasonable doubt.
In other words, the trial is past the presentation stage. It is about to enter the persuasion stage. Then, it will go to the deliberation stage. If guilt is pronounced, it will enter the judgment and sentence phase.
At least no one can now say that the state failed to make its initial case. i.e., meet its burden of production. By definition, the state presented a good case. No one can say the state presented a bad case. But a good case must give way to a better case and a good argument must give way to a better argument. If after full deliberation the jury decides that the quantum of evidence that was good enough to meet the initial burden of production is not good enough to satisfy the final burden of proof, then a not guilty verdict will have zero effect on the fact of the state already meeting its initial burden of production. Whether the state should have prosecuted Mr. Trump is no longer at issue. Whether Mr. Trump is guilty or not remains in doubt.
And the jury’s verdict will be right, regardless of the outcome, absent a finding of misconduct. Our ratifying fathers gave this power to juries (and to judges in non-jury trials). No prosecutor has ever held the power to determine guilt, yet all of them have held the power to argue to a jury for guilt. No defendant has ever held the power to determine innocence, yet all of them have held the power to argue to a jury for innocence.
SCSO JOKE says
I wonder where he learned his values and morals ? Who had such a profound effect on him besides his mom and dad ?
Captain says
I’m sure Sheriff Staley is all over this.
The Deputy’s actions were out of Order.
Hope he admits is wrong doing.
This puts suspension on what kind of Deputy & father he is.
Retaliation on law bidding citizens.
bruces says
The people that were in the car with the guility driver have a responsibility
to report such a action. This is not about you rated me out, There was a person
killed here. someone who was 51 and their life shorten buy someone who care not less
all 3 should be punished by law to the limit. If this happened in Nj or Nyk
the establishment would also be fined or be considered as a guilty party
as they have a responibility to say no more buddy you had enough
Steve says
In my experience every time he got the chance he let it be known his Dad was a Cop. Repeatedly. Back in his High School days He and some of the Explorers were given free reign by FCSO IMO.
May he get what Justice he does readily deserve and then some. The days of using Daddy as cover are over. Not as smart as he thought he was.
May the Victim RIP
Joe D says
They couldn’t hit him with the ON THE SPOT DUI, because the defendant was at home hours later, and not stopped by a police officer cruiser on patrol in the damaged car….
The TECHNICALITIES of the LAW…as FRUSTRATING as they can be frequently.
Sometimes, it seems like it doesn’t MATTER what the TRUTH is, it only depends on who is the BETTER LIAR, and who can BEST use legal technicalities to get away with a CRIME…
How does that saying go…? Better that 100 guilty men go free, than 1 innocent man convicted unjustly?
The COSTS of an “Innocent until proven guilty,” legal system, where the burden of providing proof of the crime is on the STATE.
FUNNY, I was an ADULT when I first learned the British court system says the exact OPPOSITE: You are considered GUILTY until proven INNOCENT!
Endangered species says
I don’t think this is uncommon. This is America your punishment will be determined by your power and money not necessarily if you did it or not.
Tyler Kuback says
Wow $50,000 bond for killing a human being a life a matter yet some people get $100,000 bond for killing an animal while off their medication that they’ve been on for over 25 years and have doctors proof and everything and this person I’m talking about wasn’t even drinking, but as I’m typing, he just completed house arrest.. this is the most corrupt county ever been in and paid a lot of taxes in just because Lil was a Flagler. He gets away with vehicular manslaughter should be 15 years for a human life when someone got five years probation no early term never been in trouble for 54 years. This is PALM COAST MY DADDYS A COP ILL GET US OUT OF THIS NO WORRY… hope he gets prison time for a human LIFE!! Take it to trail!!!!! So you can get life your 21 your grown!
Joey G says
I bet son and Dan are in Deep due due. This sheriff is not going to tolerate crap like this. If it’s found that the deputy has been hiding info they will both be in over there head. This punk will get what’s coming to him and pop could be right behind.
CR says
@Endangered species; I have to agree with you. Back a couple of years ago a very very famous and richer than rich musician initials (B.S.) in New Jersey was pulled over and the law deemed him driving while under the influence of alcohol. Sickening to say that when he went to court he was slapped with a $500.00 fine, that is all. What happened to the driving suspension, what happened to the New Jersey Surcharge. I bet I know, his name and money freed him from that.
Crystal Lang says
You are right Joe D, I forgot I did read about it being hours later and home.